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Jean-Luc Colombo Winery

A native of Marseilles, Colombo first developed a strong admiration for the wines of the Rhône Valley in the late 1970s as a pharmacy student. A devotee of the Syrah grape, Colombo was convinced that the northern Rhône appellation of Cornas offered enormous and, at the time, unrecognized potential for producing super-quality Syrah wines. After earning degrees in pharmacy and enology, Colombo and his wife Anne, also a pharmacist and enologist, moved to Cornas, fully intending to support themselves as pharmacists while developing a wine consultancy on the side.

It was not long before Colombo began purchasing and cultivating his own vineyards - first in Cornas then throughout the Rhône Valley and Languedoc - leading to the establishment in 1994 of Vins Jean-Luc Colombo. The wines of Vins Jean-Luc Colombo are all sourced from Colombo's own vineyards and from carefully selected domains under his direct consultation.

Colombo has not limited his magical sphere of influence to Cornas. The company now embraces 27 wines representing major appellations of the Rhône Valley as well as the Languedoc and Roussillon regions of southern France. Most recently, Colombo has returned to his roots for his latest winemaking venture in the Côte Bleue district near Marseilles.
View all Jean-Luc Colombo Wines

About Cornas

Talk about potential... the appellation of Cornas is lesser-known than its northern counterparts, but has the ability to make delicious, hearty, long-lasting wines. The hills of Cornas are steep and hug the Rhone river, as many Northern Rhone appellations do. Cornas is typically best when aged for up to 10 years, although pioneer winemakers, like Jean-Luc Columbo, are now producing wines that require less time in bottle for maximum enjoyment.

Notable Facts

All Syrah, all the time. No whites from this appellation. The Syrah grapes are sun-drenched and well-protected from the Mistral winds on the super steep hills where the vineyards are terraced. The wines have got power and punch, and are perhaps a bit rougher around the edges than an Hermitage. Flavors coming from wines of Cornas are big and powerful, with lots of leather, earth & spice, yet backed by the typical black fruit of a Syrah.

About France - Other regions

When it comes to wine, France is a classic. Classic blends, grapes and styles began in the country and they still remain. Think about it - people ask for a Burgundian style Pinot Noir, they refer to wines as Bordeaux or Rhone blends - Champagne even had to pass a law to stop international wineries from putting their region on the label of all sparkling wine.

The top regions of France are: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire, Rhone. And these regions are so diverse! It makes sense that wine regions throughout the world try to emulate their style. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and
Syrah are no longer French varieties, but international varieties. They may not be the leader of cutting edge technology or value-priced wines, but there is no doubt that they are still producing wines of great quality and diversity.

Alcohol By Volume Guide

Most wine ranges from 10-16% alcohol by volume. Some varietals tend to have higher (for example Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon) or lower alcohol levels (Pinot Noir and many white varietals), but there is always some variation from producer to producer. Some wine falls outside of this range, for instance Port weighs in closer to 20%, while Muscat and Riesling are usually a bit below 10%.

Wine Style Guide

Light & Crisp

Light to medium bodied wines that are high in acid and light to medium fruit. Typically no oak.